MLB Rumors

1371696477
Alex Wood should return to bullpen soon
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Braves reliever Alex Wood should be back in the bullpen by the start of a weekend series against the Brewers, after he was needed to throw 73 pitches in a start Tuesday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB.com Wood could be available to pitch in relief as early as the series opener.

"We're shooting for him to be available by Friday at the earliest," Gonzalez said. "He threw a lot of pitches in three innings."

Wood was bothered by a cuticle tear on his index finger in the outing, but that is not expected to bother him by he time he returns to the bullpen. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371695033
Sergio Romo works third day in a row
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Giants closer Sergio Romo saved his second game in as many days Wednesday, as he closed out a 4-2 win over the Padres.

Romo returns San Diego on just 12 pitches, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth. He is now 18 for 21 in save situations, with a 2.54 ERA on the season.

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371694949
Jesus Guzman homers again
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Padres first baseman Jesus Guzman homered for the second game in a row Wednesday, a solo shot in a 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Guzman finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. He is batting .237 on the season with three home runs in 114 at-bats.  

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371694686
Eric Stults remains solid in no-decision
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Padres starting pitcher Eric Stults could not quite live up to his complete game in his follow-up start Wednesday, but he still pitched well in a no-decision against the Giants.

Stults tossed his fifth quality start in a row in the game, though it was his first time failing to finish the seventh inning in that stretch. He allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings of work, but was pulled after allowing a one-out single in the seventh inning. That runner came around to score, blowing a 2-1 Padres lead and leaving Stulted with a no-decision.

Stults allowed seven hits and two walks in the game, while striking out three batters on 105 pitches. He is now 6-5 on the season with a 3.25 ERA through 15 starts. He is expected to make his next start Monday against the Phillies. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371694432
Mark Buehrle improves to .500
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com
Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle was aided by one mighty swing from Adam Lind for a three-run homer in the first inning of his start against the Rockies Wednesday. That was all Buehrle needed to earn the win. 
Buehrle gave up two earned runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings to improve to .500 at 4-4 on the year. He allowed a Carlos Gonzalez solo homer and scattered his runs given up in the second and fifth innings. Buehrle threw 92 pitches before leaving and his ERA is at 4.60. 
The 34-year-old veteran, who struck out four Wednesday, has won his last two outings with two runs allowed over 12 frames with 11 Ks. He's slowly getting on track and makes his next scheduled start Tuesday at Tampa Bay. 
Share: Twitter Facebook
1371694347
Casey Janssen notches 16th save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen gave up a hit in the ninth Wednesday but notched a save against the Rockies. Janssen earned his 16th save as he needed 16 pitches to complete his inning. 

Janssen lowered his ERA to 2.28 with the save, his fourth in his last four outings. He's been sharp since allowing two runs in his first blown save back on June 8 against Texas. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371694207
Madison Bumgarner wins again
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner tossed another quality start Wednesday against the Padres, his second in a row, in a 4-2 win.

Bumgarner limited the Padres to just three hits, though he did walk four batters, his highest total in four starts. He also allowed two runs in the game, both on solo home runs. Bumgarner struck out eight in seven innings, for his third win in a row.

Bumgarner threw 66 of 111 pitches for strikes, while lowering his ERA to 3.25 on the season. Bumgarner is now 7-4 heading into his next start, Monday at the Dodgers. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371693931
Justin Ruggiano slugs one in leadoff spot
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Marlins outfielder Justin Ruggiano started in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, and he came up big late.

Ruggiano hit his ninth home run of the season to open the ninth inning, as the Marlins tried to battle back from a three-run deficit. Ruggiano finished the game 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored, in a 3-1 loss.

Ruggiano is hitting .229 on the season, with a .702 OPS. He has nine home runs and eight stolen bases, while driving in 25 runs. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371692084
Heath Bell's homer issues remain
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell continued to struggle Wednesday with the Marlins, the team that traded him in the offseason following a disastrous one-year stint.

Bell allowed a leadoff homer to Justin Ruggiano to open the ninth, and put the tying run on base when he walked Giancarlo Stanton with no out.

He was able to work out of the jam with three straight outs, however, recording his 13th save in 15 tries, in a 3-1 win. Bell allowed a game-winning home run in the teams' first game Monday. He now has a 4.40 ERA on the season, and has allowed one home run in each of the last fur outings. 

Share: Twitter Facebook
1371691979
Josh Willingham to DH until knee improves
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

Twins outfielder Josh Willingham will play through a bothersome left knee but will remain at designated hitter until it feels a little better, MLB.com reports Wednesday. 

Willingham was a little sore after playing in Tuesday's game. He had a cortisone shot Saturday and missed Saturday and Sunday's games. 

"It's not perfect right now -- I can tell you that," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We'll see how this DH thing goes, but it wasn't a great night last night as far as him running around on his leg. So I'm a little concerned."

Share: Twitter Facebook

Latest